With hit No. 3,020, Alex Rodriguez gives Yankees the lead and an 8-6 victory over Red Sox

BOSTON — Alex Rodriguez had hit No. 3,020 to move into the top 25 on baseball's all-time list.

Rob Refsnyder had the first two of his career, the second a two-run homer that turned out to be the difference in the New York Yankees' 8-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.

"We brought him up here to play. He gets a big two-run homer," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after his team headed into the All-Star break with a 3 1/2-game lead over second-place Tampa Bay.

Boston had hoped to cut further into a deficit that had been 10 games three weeks ago, but the Yankees won two out of three over the weekend to leave the last-place Red Sox 6 1/2 back.

Rodriguez, who homered in the first two games, delivered a sixth-inning double to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead. That tied him with Rafael Palmeiro at 25th on baseball's career list; Rodriguez needs three hits to tie Lou Brock at No. 24.

Refsnyder had his first career hit with a single in the seventh inning, then added a two-run homer in the ninth to make it 8-4. The Red Sox cut it to 8-6 in the ninth thanks to two New York errors, but Andrew Miller got Shane Victorino on a pop-up to shallow left to end it.

Refsnyder got the home run ball back and will give it and the lineup card to his parents.

"All that rookie stuff," he said.

Brian McCann also had two hits, including a two-run homer. Nathan Eovaldi (9-2) gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out four in five innings to win his fourth straight decision.

Miley allowed six runs on seven hits, striking out two in 5 1-3 innings to take his first loss at Fenway since May 2.

HOT PROSPECT

Refsnyder, who won the 2012 College World Series at Arizona, made his major league debut Saturday night and went 0 for 3. He was hitless in his first two at-bats Sunday before a single in the seventh inning. He came up again in the ninth and lined a 2-2 pitch over the Green Monster for two insurance runs that proved to be the game-winners.

"I'd be lying to say when you're in the box and a couple of at-bats go by, it doesn't creep in your mind. You're only human," he said. "The first one kind of settled me down."

PAPI PAUSES

Red Sox slugger David Oritz left the ballpark before the game because of what manager John Farrell said was an upper respiratory illness.

"He was not available in any capacity," said Farrell, who added that Ortiz reported the symptoms after Saturday night's game and exchanged texts with the manager during the night. "Per doctor's instructions, he was told to leave the ballpark."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: Girardi said that RHP Ivan Nova, who missed the season's first 71 games coming off of Tommy John surgery, will get some extra rest during the break. After pitching Saturday, he isn't scheduled to start again until July 22.

Red Sox: Farrell said 2B Dustin Pedroia is expected to return Friday, when the team comes back after the All-Star break.

UP NEXT

Yankees: Begin a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners after the All-Star break.

Red Sox: Play four games in Anaheim against the Angels after the break.

New York Yankees' Brett Gardner, left, slides safely home as Boston Red Sox catcher Ryan Hanigan, front right, leaps to try and make the play in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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